Repair Firm Burglarized

LOCAL LOOK

Detectives were investigating the theft on Friday of three cars, a television and tools worth several thousand dollars from an auto repair business west of Delray Beach.

The thieves drove away with a 1986 Toyota Camry, a 1991 Honda Accord, and a 1992 Toyota Camry after cutting a chain link fence and rolling it back, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Detective Ron Tomassi said.

The crime at Delray Automotive and Marine, 13400 S. Military Trail, was discovered shortly after 7 a.m. when an employee arrived.

The theft may have taken place as early as 2 a.m., Tomassi said. That's when an area resident recalled hearing his dogs barking.

The thieves apparently found keys to the vehicles after ransacking the office of the business. "Several thousand dollars of tools were taken out of there," Tomassi said. Vending machines were broken, too, he said.

The thieves stole a television from inside a motor home on the lot, he said.

A fourth car was driven to the hole in the fence but was left behind, Tomassi said.